Barbie Dress Knitting Free Pattern

Star Dress Knit for Barbie by Knit n Sew Studio

This simple dress for Barbie is knit in one piece starting at the hem and seamed in the back.  There are no buttons or snaps.  The ribbon is weaved through the ribbing at the waist and tied in the a bow at the back. 

I originally designed this dress in 2000 and would like to share the pattern with you. The dress is on display as part of my Dressing Our Dolls display.

Star Dress for 11 1/2 inch Fashion Doll by Knit n Sew Studio

 EASIEST EVER STAR DRESS

For 11 ½ inch Fashion Doll

    By Knit n Sew Studio

MATERIALS:

Sport or D.K. Weight Yarn

Size 5(U.S.) knitting needles

Size 4(U.S.) knitting needles

Small Amount of ¼ inch ribbon for waist

DRESS PATTERN:

Using Size 5 (U.S.) needles cast on 49 stitches

Row 1 – Knit across

Row 2 – P1, *P3tog leave stitches on needle, Yarn Over, Purl same 3 stitches together again, P1, repeat from * across.

Row 3 – Knit Across

Row 4 – P3, *P3tog leave stitches on needle, Yarn Over, Purl same 3 stitches together again, P1, Repeat from * across ending with P3.

Row 5-24  Repeat row 1-4

 five times

WAIST-CHANGE to Size 4 (U.S.) needles

      Change Colors if a different color bodice is desired

Knit one row

Purl next Row

Next Row-

(K1, P1, K1, P3tog) 4 times); k1; (P3tog, K1, P1, K1)4 times.

Continue in K1, P1 rib for 15 rows.

Cast of in rib.

Sew center back seam.

Thread ribbon through waist as follows:

Using first row of ribbing, begin at center back and thread ribbon over each purl stitch and under each knit stitch.

Pull ribbon to desired waist width and tie in bow when dress is on doll.

© D. Trainor 2000

Afternoon Dress for Corolle Les Cherie Doll

Clara, the lovely Corolle Les Cherie is dressed in a hand knit Afternoon Dress that I knit.  The pattern is a vintage pattern from a book entitled Knitted Outfits for Teenage Dolls published by Faber & Faber in 1974.  The book has a collection of outfits that are knit and crocheted. The introduction states "There are so many beautiful fashion garments which can be made for teenage dolls-dolls like Sindy, Tressy, Action Girl and Daisy which can be seen in almost any good toyshop and which measure around 12 ins high"



 Here's the original photo from the book.

My version is knit on U.S. size 6 knitting needles using Joyoland Tonic, a Machine washable yarn that is 85% acrylic and 25% wool.  The fit is nice although I'll knit the next one using a U.S. size 5 needle and a lighter weight yarn.  This dress is knit in pieces with raglan sleeves and the rolled collar is knit using the stitches from each of the four pieces.  There are no buttons of snaps, making it great for young children and it does stretch sufficiently to make it easy to put on and take off the doll.

Green Cotton Spring Dress for Les Cherie Doll

Your Corolle Les Cherie Doll will  be ready for a lovely spring day in this dress. My sweet Clara is wearing a cotton dress designed and hand knit by me.  Knit with cotton yarn on U.S. Size 5 needles, the dress closes with 2 heart shaped buttons at the back.

Clara is one of the 4 Les Cherie dolls by Corolle.  She is 13 inches tall, a slender vinyl doll that has a wonderful vanilla scent. Clara is part of my "Dressing Our Dolls" display.  The display will be in one of the local public libraries this summer.

I enjoy creating outfits for Clara.  Here's her blue coat inspired by a pattern for the Mary Hoyer doll.

Dress is available in my Etsy Shop.  Contact me for a special order in the color of your choice.

A New Dress for my American Girl

This hand knit dress is the latest addition to my collection.  Once again this summer my dolls and their hand made outfits will be on display. It is my hope that the presentation will encourage others to learn to knit and sew.

Dress is knit in one piece, split for the bodice and then seamed at the center back.  The pattern is a chevron pattern knit on U.S. size 6 needles using Plymouth Encore DK weight yarn.  It is from one of my favorite doll pattern booklets,  Dolly Mixture #622 by Plymouth Yarn.  Unfortunately, this booklet is out of print but it is available from several sources on the web.

American Girl Doll Aprons

 Welcome to the first apron designs of my collection of reversible aprons for American Girl and other 18 inch dolls.  The first thing that I learned to sew when I was a little girl was an apron.  I still love them.

These aprons are reversible and each one is slightly different. 

 One side of each apron is made with cotton toweling fabric.  In July, I visited a terrific fabric store in Lancaster, Pa.  They had a variety of toweling fabric in vintage prints. 

The other side is a variety of cotton fabric that I've collected.

Creating these aprons is great fun.

This bright red cherry fabric is one of my favorites.

 

I like to display mine on a dress form. If you're interested in purchasing the wire dress form for the aprons, let me know and I will provide you the details.

These aprons are available in my Etsy Shop.  Shipping is always free for the items in the Dressing Our Dolls section of my shop.

 Let me know which one is your favorite. 

An Evening with Dressing Our Dolls

Recently, I held a one hour presentation and discussion about handmade doll clothes.  Using my collection of patterns that date back as far as the 1930's, I showed examples of doll clothes from each decade of the 20th century.  The presentation also included designs that are available today and some of my own designs. 

The event was well attended. Both children and adults brought dolls of their own and were eager to share stories of the clothes that their dolls wear.

My slides include photos of some patterns in my collection and the outfits that I have knit or sewn for them.  Here's an example:

 

I ended the evening by having all the participants take a close look and have their dolls model the clothes in my collection.

The main goal of this program is to encourage individuals to learn to knit and sew.  I totally enjoy this program and am available to bring it to local organizations and groups in New Jersey.

Knit Coat for Corolle Les Cherie Doll

This hand knit coat fits the Corolle Les Cherie Doll beautifully.  The coat is knit in Sky Blue Yarn that is 50% Merino Wool, 25% Rayon, and 25% nylon.  Hand washable.

This coat is available here.  

On this wire dress form, the coat may be displayed anywhere you choose.

The Corolle Les Cherie Dolls are 13 inch dolls that feature sleeping eyes and an all-vinyl body that is delicately scented with vanilla.  These are terrific dolls for children ages 4 and up.